MAINE GOVERNMENT NEWS • January 28, 2022
In 1987, the Legislature recognized that protecting working lands, farmlands, waterfronts, and public access to those properties is critical to preserving our quality of life. Then Maine voters approved a $35 million bond to create the Land for Maine’s Future. LMF has conserved nearly 604,000 acres of land and some working waterfronts, mostly working lands. Nearly all of these properties continue to pay taxes as well. But over the last ten years, the fund began to run out. When I took office, there was very little left to protect our cherished lands and waters despite the overwhelming approval of the voters of Maine for this program. So last year, I worked with the Legislature to replenish the Land for Maine’s Future fund with $40 million in new state money through the biennial state budget on a bipartisan basis. And this week, we announced the first five conservation projects funded by that budget. ~ Governor Janet Mills